How to Make a Lava Lamp

I am always eager to find [new] fun things for kids. As part of our summer bucket list we decided to make a lava lamp. It was a really fun science experiment. So whether you homeschool or are planning a fun summer/after school activity – this is a must try kids activity!

DIY Lava Lamp

You can upcycle a water bottle or 2 liter soda bottle if you have them on hand. Fill them 1/3 with water.

Add vegetable oil until it is all but 1-2 TAB full. Minnie (Kindergarten) was fascinated by how the oil & water didn’t mix!

Add several drops food coloring. It will fall through the oil in balls but mix once it gets to the water section.

Science Experiments

Next add 1 tablet Alka Seltzer Antacid Tab, broke up into several pieces, into the jar. It will start to bubble and and create a lava lamp.

Kids Activities

When the antacid tablet is no longer causing the lava lamp effect you can repeat the process. If your child shakes the jar violently and the oil, water, and food coloring appear to have made one big colored mess – don’t throw it out. Give it a couple hours and you will see the oil & colored water separate again. Then go ahead and repeat the science experiment again.

Scientific Method at Work

Minnie wanted to make a multi colored lava lamp. Instead of explaining why it wouldn’t work (the colors would all mix together in the water to make black) I decided to just let her test her hypothesis. We added several different colored drops and tested it out. While her hypothesis was incorrect, the lava lamp effect was just as cool in black.

About the author

Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! Beth is also the creator of www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com where she shares Kindergarten spedicif worksheets,& educational ideas.